In West Virginia shopping for car insurance can be overwhelming and time-consuming. BuyCarInsurance.com is here to streamline the process for you. We have put together this guide that lists what you need to know so that you can easily get the car insurance plan that fits your personal needs - at the lowest rate.

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Minimum Requirements

West Virginia is no different than most states,  you are required to have car insurance to operate a vehicle. You must have bodily injury liability and property damage. In addition, West Virginia requires uninsured/underinsured motorists bodily injury and property damage too. Here is a list of the required coverages and the limits:

Do I Need More Than The Minimum Coverage?

We always encourage everyone to purchase the most insurance they can afford. We suggest this because the minimum required car insurance is just that, the minimum. Accidents are expensive, even a fender bender, and with the minimum car insurance coverage, you can be left paying expenses out-of-pocket. If you are looking for a cost-effective way to add more protection but without breaking the bank increase your policy limits. 

Additional Coverages Available in West Virginia 

If you are still looking for more protection than just increasing your limits or you are not sure if you need more protection take a look at the additional coverages we have listed below to help make an educated decision: 

• Collision Coverage- Collision insurance will cover repairs to your vehicle in an accident you are at fault for. 

• Comprehensive Coverage- Comprehensive insurance covers you for other situations than a car accident; if you hit an animal, vandalism, fire, hail, flooding, or of your car is stolen. 

• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists- Optional coverage that protects you if you are involved in an accident with a driver who has no insurance or too little insurance to cover the accident. 

• Medical Coverage- Optional coverage that will pay for medical bills when health insurance exceeds coverage amounts and covers medical expenses for you and your passengers. Do you walk or bike? This policy offers additional coverage if you are struck by a car in those instances. 

• Gap Insurance- Optional coverage that will pay if you don’t own your car outright and have an accident. Gap insurance will pay the difference between the cash value of your car and the current balance on your loan or lease. This policy is best for newer non-owned cars. 

• Personal Injury Protection- Depending on your state this type of insurance can be a requirement or an add on. Regardless of fault personal injury protection will cover medical expenses and loss of wages for you and your passengers (up to your limit). It also includes up to $5,000 for funeral expenses.

Teen Drivers in West Virginia

West Virginia employs a graduated drivers license program starting at the age of 15 with a learners permit. Once you have a teen driving it is important to start shopping for an insurance policy. A teen driver is held to the same standards as an adult driver,  having the minimum required insurance is one of those standards. The most cost-efficient way to insure a teen driver is to add them to an existing policy. Your car insurance company may have a discount option for teen drivers. We encourage you to speak with your insurance agent and see what options are available.

Multiple Drivers in West Virginia

Most households have multiple drivers that reside under one roof. Telling your car insurance company if you do have multiple drivers can help you avoid any lack of coverage, additional charges, or the potential they will no longer provide insurance for you. 

You always have the option to exclude any driver from your policy. By excluding a driver your insurance company will not cover them or your vehicle while they are driving it. If there is an accident and an excluded driver was driving your insurance company will not cover it. This will be an out-of-pocket expense for you. 

Penalties for Driving Without Car Insurance 

West Virginia requires drivers to have car insurance to operate a vehicle. If you are caught driving without car insurance you will face the penalties. The penalties include a fine up to $5,000, suspension of driving privileges, and possibly jail time.  Here is a list of the penalties for not having the minimum required car insurance in West Virginia:

• First Offense- You will pay a fine of at least $200 but up to $5,000. Your driver’s license will be suspended for 30 days. Your registration will be suspended until you provide proof of insurance. If you provide proof of insurance before your suspension takes place you will pay a $200 fee. To get your driver's license reinstated you will pay a $50 fee. You will also pay a $100 registration reinstatement fee. You will be required to file an SR-22 for three years. You could serve 15 days to one year in jail as an alternative sentence to the fines. 

• Second and Subsequent Offenses- You will pay a fine of at least $200 but up to $5,000. Your driver’s license will be suspended for 90 days. Your registration will be suspended until you provide proof of insurance. To get your driver's license reinstated you will pay a $50 fee. You will also pay a $100 registration reinstatement fee. You will be required to file an SR-22 for three years. You could serve 15 days to one year in jail as an alternative sentence to the fines. 

Car Insurance Discounts in West Virginia  

Are you looking for a solution to lowering your car insurance premiums? We recommend asking your car insurance agent for a complete list of discounts. This will give you the opportunity to see what options you have to save money. We put together a short list of common discounts in West Virginia: 

• Good Driver- Maintain a good driving record free of accidents, tickets, and any moving violations. 

• Multiple Policy- Most insurance companies will offer a discount for having multiple policies such as car insurance, renters insurance, homeowners insurance, or motorcycle insurance. 

• Good Student- If you are a student enrolled in high school or college curriculum and maintaining a B average most companies offer a discount.

Get a Quote for Car Insurance in West Virginia

Looking for car insurance should be easy, but in most cases, it is dull and overwhelming. At BuyCarInsurance.com we will provide you with a car insurance quote from the top car insurance companies in West Virginia. We will provide you with a quote in minutes saving you time and money. Just follow the three easy steps below to get a quote in minutes.